A glance into the world through the fringe.

Main menu

Post navigation

The End of an Era

Yesterday was my final ever timetabled day at high school. 13 years (75%) of my life, and it is now over. Sure, I still have a month of revision and exams ahead before completely being chucked out, but… Wow. I really can no longer claim to be a child any more.

It’s both fascinating and impossible to impartially reflect on these years. I am incredibly grateful to have received an education and tried to never take it for granted, but there have been many times I’ve had reason to criticise the system. It’s inescapable nature, either through design of peer pressure, to discourage individuality and push for uniformity; the unfair and unrepresentative use of exams as often the sole form of assessment; and the sheer stress it places on young people, are all aspects I would like to discuss in detail but don’t have the time or willpower to bring together the well-planned arguments this topic deserves [these exams are draining]. The point about peer pressure is definitely one I would like to speak about at a later date.

But of course, there are huge benefits to schooling – state schooling in particular – I’ve experienced. The range of teachers and pupils to interact with, the friends I’ve made, the opportunities… It’s been a rollercoaster 13 years.